Making a difference in local communities

Cameco is committed to supporting projects and programs that contribute to community health, prosperity and quality of life. We actively foster our relationships by engaging in community activities, supporting youth and public health, and by providing financial support to projects that are in keeping with our corporate giving policy.

Here are just a few examples:

Annual United Way Giving Campaign

Canada and US

Cameco employees demonstrated remarkable generosity again in 2011 with our annual Employee Giving Campaign. Across the company, significant proceeds were raised for the United Way as Cameco matched employee donations dollar for dollar, doubling the impact and raising over $1 million to benefit diverse charities across Canada and the US.

The flexibility of the United Way program makes it possible for employees to support charities they choose. They can give to the United Way, or they can direct their donations to a specific charity. Food banks, toy drives, autism education and cancer research are just some of the worthy causes our employees have chosen to support.

Library donation at Nazarbayev University

Kazakhstan

Cameco donated 1,000 books in 2012 to the Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. With books and periodicals on topics ranging from space technology to telecommunications and business development, the university now boasts the largest collection of books, periodicals and e-resources in Kazakhstan.

Cameco Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of co-operation with the university and arranged for the donation of books that originated in Canada, the US and Great Britain. Cameco Kazakhstan's president, Galymzhan Pirmatov, was quick to note that this is just the first of many contributions Cameco plans to make to support local communities and establish strong ties with Cameco's stakeholders and partners in Kazakhstan.

Backpacks for school kids

Smith Ranch-Highland, US

Thanks to a donation from Cameco Resources and assistance from volunteers at the Smith Ranch-Highland operation, students in Glenrock, Wyoming were able to head back to the classroom better equipped to learn in September 2011.

Notebooks, pencils, erasers and calculators were packed in new backpacks and distributed to kids in need, boosting their confidence and giving them the right tools to participate fully in classroom activities.

The project was initiated by one of Cameco's employees, Viki Kincaid. Because most employees at our US operations are local people, Cameco knows the communities well and know where we can make a difference.

The backpack initiative was well received. As one school counsellor noted, "it was wonderful to watch these kids walk into their rooms during the open house with their heads held high knowing they had the same things their peers had."

Learn more about Cameco Resources Inc.

Cobourg Community Centre

Cobourg, Ontario

Cameco has committed to a multi-year funding arrangement for a community centre in Cobourg, Ontario.

The Cobourg Community Centre will receive $250,000 in total, beginning with $50,000 donated in 2010, followed by $100,000 in each of 2011 and 2012.

The centre is a hub of activity and an essential part of the Cobourg community, serving local residents of all ages. Amenities and programs include two rinks, a gymnasium, an indoor track, meeting rooms, fitness classes and dedicated spaces for seniors and youth.

Cameco is proud to sponsor such an important community resource, and was honored to receive naming rights for the centre's meeting rooms.

Learn more about Cameco Fuel Services

Cameco's Dream and Believe Hockey Camps

Northern Saskatchewan

A love for hockey and a commitment to making a difference in local communities has proven to be a winning combination for Cameco's CEO Tim Gitzel and former NHL defenceman Rich Pilon.

Cameco's Dream & Believe hockey camps offers elementary and high school students the opportunity to spend a day learning about hockey, hope and perseverance from former NHLer Rich Pilon who hails from their home province.

These one-day camps, sponsored by Cameco and hosted in various northern Saskatchewan communities, consist of on-ice sessions, followed by a motivational session with Rich and a community lunch. While building on-ice skills is the big draw, the real focus is on building confidence and encouraging youth to strive for success – committing to goals and believing it's possible to achieve them.

Learn more about our Northern Saskatchewan programs and operations

Friendship Inn

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Cameco contributed $500,000 in 2011 to a campaign to redesign and rebuild a soup kitchen in Saskatoon.

Established in 1969, the Friendship Inn is an inner-city sanctuary for families and individuals in need, offering two meals each day plus a warm and safe shelter. The expansion is increasing capacity, giving staff and volunteers 75 percent more space for cooking, counseling and other activities. The new facility seats 200 people with overflow capacity for 100 more, making it possible to offer food, companionship and dignity to up to 300 people a day.